Art and Barriers: The Susquehanna Art Museum presents “Art and Barriers” in the DOSHI Gallery at The State Museum of Pennsylvania through Dec. 7. Artists have long been at the forefront of social change through revolutionary and, at times, subversive means of transcending both physical and hidden boundaries. Contemporary art often acts as a mirror for barriers within all societies, challenging viewers to confront oppressive social, political, or cultural divisions. Can art be the catalyst to break down these confines? “Art & Barriers” pays homage to all artists who break through limitations of any kind.

A Fondness for Birds: Pennsylvania’s Alexander Wilson: This exhibit features bird prints and first edition volumes of the 200 year-old “American Ornithology” series by Wilson, who is considered the father of American ornithology. Also featured, are a number of bird specimens from the museum’s Botany and Zoology collections, some of which date to the late 19th century. The specimens underscore the museum’s historic and continuing role in the study of Pennsylvania’s flora and fauna. This exhibit runs through March 15, 2015 and is included with general admission to the museum.

Learn @ Lunchtime and National Fossil Day: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15 join the museum educators and volunteer Sid Hostettler to celebrate National Fossil Day. Explore the fossils of the Mesozoic Era in the “Life through Time” gallery. Admission to the Museum is free during the hours of the event only.

Night of the Great Pumpkin: Join The State Museum of Pennsylvania for a fun-filled Halloween celebration. Night of the Great Pumpkin will be take place 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 on the ground floor of the museum. Check out the pumpkin carving demonstration by the Harrisburg Young Professionals. Take in a spooky Storytime reading and make some Halloween crafts. Interactive children’s performer “Louie” will share ghostly and ghoulish songs and stories at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Trick-or-Treat the night away with candy stops and a snack. The event is free in conjunction with 3rd in the Burg, Harrisburg’s monthly celebration of art and culture. Feel free to come in costume.

The Planetarium at The State Museum of Pennsylvania: The planetarium is offering two shows through Nov. 30:

“We Are Aliens” (Pre-k to grade 2): Narrated by Harry Potter actor, Rupert Grint. Learn the answers to questions such as, “What does it take to support life?” and “Are we alone in the universe?” Explore the extreme environments on Earth that support life. Take a close-up look at the research happening on Mars and throughout the solar system. Discover how astronomers are discovering exo-planets and study their environments. Join the quest to understand our galactic community.

11 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

11.a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. Sunday

“Back to the Moon for Good” (grade 4 and up): Narrated by Tim Allen. Immerse yourself in a race to return to the moon 40 years after the historic Apollo landings. See how a competition among privately funded, international teams is ushering in a new era of lunar exploration. Learn about the moon’s resources and discover what explore humanity’s future on Earth’s only natural satellite. Back to the Moon for Good presents the Google Lunar XPRIZE and personal stories of competition and collaboration.

12 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday

For the Thanksgiving Holiday on Black Friday, Nov. 28, the planetarium will offer additional shows, We Are Aliens at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and Back to the Moon for Good at noon and 2 p.m. Planetarium shows are $3 per person in addition to general admission; free to State Museum Affiliate Members and Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation Members.